Houston’s First and Sixth Wards

Houston’s First and Sixth Wards offer an engaging study in contrasts. The First Ward dates from 1840, when the city’s initial four wards (city council districts) were delineated. The final ward, the Sixth, was carved out of the Fourth in 1895. The springs that initially made the area attractive to German farmers evolved into a produce and commodity center served by the burgeoning railroads. First and Sixth Wards tell the story of immigration as waves of new people move through to this day. While the ward system was abolished in 1905, the terminology remains alive in contemporary culture. Olivewood and Glenwood cemeteries attest to the story of initial settlement while new structures and residents speak to the wards’ current vitality.

Today we see vernacular Queen Anne and Craftsman bungalows alongside new construction, and former brick and soap factories, warehouses, and silos transformed into offices, artists’ studios, exhibition spaces, and residences. The Seminar will explore these neighborhoods, peeking behind the public face to learn about what animates their residents today. Be ready to meet new people, sample food, and see churches, houses, and cemeteries.

November 15: Architectural historian Stephen Fox will lead us on a walking tour of Sixth Ward.
December 6: Led by Jim Parsons, programs director for Preservation Houston, we will travel by bus and on foot through First Ward.

Tour fees are non-refundable. Sturdy shoes and the ability to walk with ease are recommended.